A CLUB manager has insisted fears about his new venture are unfounded.

A planning application for Club Xes, proposed for the floor above Saffron restaurant, will be dealt with at the town’s Civic Hall on Tuesday, August 17.

Concerns were expressed in objections from three councillors, police, environment officers and two leaseholders that the club would be a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

But Jon Goff, co-manager of Club Xes, has moved to convince people that will not be the case.

He said: “Originally the application was submitted to the licensing committee for the venue to be able to operate until 4:30am, Monday through to Sunday. The licence was then amended after discussions with the licensing body for the venue to operate between the hours of 10pm through to 3am, Thursday through to Sunday.

“However if the licence is approved, we feel it will not be necessary to have the venue operating up to 3am on the Thursday and also on the Sunday.

“In total I estimate that the nightclub will be operating for no more than 18 hours per week.”

Mr Goff stressed the nightclub would be enforcing a challenge 25 policy on the door, a strict dress code will be in place and the door staff as well as management will retain the right to refuse entry.

The space had previously been occupied by The Zest Bar which closed after failing to win a new premises licence from the former borough council. In the space of a year there were more than 50 incidents of violence, indecency and other crimes at the nightspot.

Mr Goff added: “We do not want to be tarred with the same brush, this will be a high class venue aimed at a working class customer aged 25 and over.”